1901, June 17. Laurence Bradfor of Duxbury. FER 111902 (761) Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1833, By NOAH WORCESTER, D. D. In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. BOSTON. 1430 43-2 THIS volume is a collection of papers, written within the last three years, on questions relating to Man's Liability to Sin, and his Capacity to Obey. Several of them were intended for distinct and separate publications, and not as a part of the present volume. These facts may account for some repetitions, which might otherwise have been avoided. In examining the opinions of others, I should have forborne to name sects or persons, could this have been done to advantage; but as it could not, I have aimed to do as I would that others should do unto me. I have aimed to state their opinions fairly, to examine them impartially, — to approve what appeared to me correct, and to express with candor my dissent from what appeared erroneous,- forbearing to impeach the character or the motives of any one from whom I have dissented. This, it is believed, will be the general mode of writing on controversial subjects, when the spirit of Christianity shall have its due influence. In view of the love and kindness of Christ towards his apostles, while he knew them to be in very great errors, and of the mercy of God towards us all, notwithstanding our innumerable mistakes, who shall dare to judge, censure, and reproach his brother, on account of his supposed erroneous opinions? How forcible are the expostulations of Paul addressed to censorious brethren: - "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? - Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Yes, we must all appear before HIM who gave the "new commandment"-saying-"This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you." But with what face can I appear before him, if I am so destitute of love to my brethren, that I cannot examine such of their opinions as appear to me erroneous, without aiming the dagger of calumny against their characters? When ministers of the gospel, on account of difference of opinion, employ these moral daggers to wound or destroy a brother's reputation, they are perhaps often more guilty in the sight of God than military men generally are when they employ guns and bayonets for the destruction of human life. It has been my prayer that, whatever may be my errors on doctrinal subjects, I may be saved from such errors of temper and practice. N. WORCESTER. Brighton, Aug. 1833. CONTENTS. PART I.-MAN'S LIABILITY TO SIN. Chap. I. Preliminary Observations. II. Sources of Man's liability to Sin. III. Preceding hypothesis enforced. XIV. Advantages of the proposed hypothesis. PART II.-SUPPLEMENTAL ILLUSTRATIONS. No. I. Remarkable Individuals. |